Oakley.
A beautiful laugh catches my attention.
Eva.
I search the bar for her, desperately trying to find the source of that laughter. Perhaps it’s someone who sounds eerily like her, but deep down, I know that’s not true. No one sounds like her. My eyes land on a large table near the back, where quite a few of SA’s students are gathered, but I don’t see her.
I nudge Bly. “Looks like we have some rule breakers.”
The smirk that twists his lips is devilish. “Oh, I do love punishing rule breakers.” He rubs his hands together, making me shake my head.
“Perhaps we can have some fun with them?” I suggest.
Bly’s brow furrows. “What do you have in mind?”
“Sit with them a while and make them sweat.” I shrug. I know my suggestion is motivated by spending time with Eva. Since entering my classroom, she’s been stuck to Natalya Gurin’s side, and I can see Natalya from where I’m sitting.
Bly runs his hand through his hair before smiling. “I like your thinking. The moment I sit down with them, they’ll shit themselves.”
I laugh, nodding. “Let’s do it then.” I glance over at Archer, who is currently wrapped up in a young blonde girl at another table. “I’ll tell Archer.”
Bly raises a brow. “Not sure there’s much need. He’s a fucking idiot.”
I get up anyway and approach him. “Arch.”
He turns away from the woman he’d been kissing and raises a brow. “What?”
“We have students at the bar who Bly and I are going to join and torment.” I glance at the girl he was making out with. “Wondered if you wanted to tag along?”
His eyes widen slightly at the mention of students at the bar. “Where?”
“Over in the back. About fourteen of them.” I tilt my head. “Do you want to join us or not?”
Archer glances at the blonde and then back at me. “Sure. Sorry, sweetheart.” He peels himself out of her grasp. “Maybe another time.” He winks and then follows me back to our table.
Bly’s already on his feet, fists clenched as he glares over at the table of delinquents. “Ready?”
I nod. “Follow my lead.” I step toward the table, moving through the crowd toward the table of students. My steps almost falter the moment I set eyes on Eva Carmichael. She’s wearing the sexiest dress I’ve ever seen, in cream fabric and cut low to stress her perfect breasts. The sleeves are long, which adds an elegant touch to the outfit.
A soft roar claws up my throat as I notice Dimitry sitting next to her with a hand resting casually on her thigh.
Motherfucker.
I march toward the table and take the seat directly opposite Eva. The moment she notices me, her face pales. “Shit,” she mutters.
Her exclamation draws Dimitry’s attention as he lets go of her thigh, inching a little further from her.
I clear my throat. “I didn’t realize all of you had clearance to leave the grounds,” I say, my voice calm despite the chaos blazing inside of me.
Anyone who hadn’t noticed me does then, as Arch kicks a guy off one stool and sits down, crossing his arms over his chest. I notice he keeps his attention solely on Adrianna Vasquez.
Bly remains standing, but most of the students watch him warily. It’s insane how much fear the Russian professor can inspire.
It’s Alexander Morales who speaks. “I did.” He lifts his chin and levels his gaze at me. “After all, we’re eighteen years old. We can do what the fuck we want.”
I raise a brow. “That may be so, but you are all too young to be here legally.”
Alexander laughs. “Who the fuck gives a shit about legal? The academy is about teaching everything that isn’t legal.” He gets a few snickers from his classmates, but most of them are too fearful of Bly to laugh.
“Touche,” Arch says. “How about we join you?” His eyes still don’t move from Adrianna, who’s looking anywhere but at him.
“If you think you can handle it, old man,” Rizzo, a new kid who started this semester, says.
He’s as cocky and stupid as Alexander. Archer, however, is always one to see the humor in anything. “You know I could kick your ass even after sinking two bottles of scotch, Rizzo.”
Rizzo laughs and passes him a bottle of vodka. “Help yourself.” He sits back in his chair, a cocky smirk still plastered on his face. Either he’s fearless or plain stupid, as Blaine is staring at him like he’s ready to tie him to a torture rack.
Archer pours himself a large glass of vodka and leans back, sipping it.
I remain still, eyes focused solely on Eva. If I don’t control my anger, I might launch myself over the table, pummel Dimitry into a pulp and claim Eva over the fucking table in front of her classmates.
My cock throbs at the mere thought, which shows how fucking far gone I am. The forbidden aspect only adds to my desire. Eva should run for her fucking life.
The server I’d tipped earlier finds me and sets her hand on my shoulder at that moment. “I had to track you down,” she whispers before placing the glass of whiskey in my hand.
A few of the boys at the table wolf-whistle, but I straighten and nod in thanks. I’m painfully aware that Eva’s eyes are on me now, even though she had another man’s hand on her thigh moments ago. I grit my teeth and glance at her again to find she’s glaring at the server with similar angry jealousy.
I smirk at that and lean toward her again, realizing that my actions will annoy Eva. “Why don’t you get everyone a round on me,” I whisper into her ear and give her another fifty-dollar bill. It’s childish, as if I’m fucking eighteen again, but I can’t help it.
She nods and winks before heading off to get more drinks.